“We have our destiny in our hands. We do not need to worry about the result of the match between Mali and Gabon,” Boutaib told Fifa website.

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“It is of course a good thing, to be in good position just before a decisive match like this. But we know that it will be very difficult.

“Playing away from home, facing one of the best African teams, is not easy. There will be most of the stadium against us, even though we will have fans there to support us. We must expect a match with a lot of commitment, because the stakes are huge.

“Moroccans love football, and they really want us to make it to Russia. If we qualify, there will be a lot of joy. Before I became an international, even I was eager for the team to make it to the finals. So I can understand the impatience of the fans,” he concluded.